ClassNotes

Jeff Hilgers '94, wife Cecilia, and 2.5 year-old daughter Julia, welcomed a baby girl, Josephine, on October 26, 2011. The family resides in Traslovslage, Sweden.

Robert James Higgins ’80, J.D. ’94, a former deputy county attorney, has been appointed to the Navajo County Superior Court. The appointment was announced by Gov. Jan Brewer. It fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Carolyn C. Holliday.

“Robert touts a level of professional experience outside of law that is rare among judicial candidates,” said Governor Jan Brewer. “In addition to a strong legal background, he was a teacher for many years and is a philanthropist in his community. He is well-rounded and well-equipped to serve the Court and the community.”

Higgins has practiced civil and criminal law in Navajo County for 17 years. He has an extensive legal background, including experience in criminal law, transactional matters, and civil litigation. He also has a broad range of expertise in estate planning and contractual issues, child dependency cases, personal injury matters, and forcible detainer actions.

Higgins completed his undergraduate degree from Santa Clara University in 1980 and received a master's degree from Arizona State University in 1988. He graduated from Santa Clara University Law School in 1994. He was admitted to practice in 1994 and admitted to the bar the same year. Higgins was an English teacher at Brophy College Preparatory for seven years prior to attending law school.

“He has been active in education efforts in his community,” says gubernatorial spokesperson Ann Dockendorff, “as he founded St. Anthony School in 1997 and continues to serve as a Board member. Additionally, Mr. Higgins is a volunteer with the White Mountain Tuition Support Foundation, for which he currently serves as President. He also has volunteered with St. Francis Parish on the White Mountain Apache Reservation, and has worked on several pro bono cases for White Mountain Apaches.”

Shelly (O'Neil) Haugh '94 and husband William Haugh welcomed their first child, James Patrick Haugh, on May 26, 2011. The couple was wed on Sept 4th, 2010 in Lake Oswego, Ore. and the Haugh family currently resides in Tualatin, Ore. Shelly is a Finance Controller at Xerox.

Fernando J. Gutierrez, EdD, J.D. '94 has been certified by the State of CA Dept. of Industrial Relations Div. of Workers' Compensation Medical Unit as a qualified medical evaluator. He has a clinical and forensic psychology practice in Pasadena, CA and is an inactive member of the CA State Bar. He and his domestic partner celebrated their 33rd anniversary in May '11.

Mary Ann Grubb '94 joined the Moraga Police Department as an officer.

Dr. Gordon F. Gibbs ’94 and Erin M. Reilly-Gibbs ’94 are thrilled to announce their new business: Rocky Mountain Vein Institute of Colorado. They write: "We care for venous disease and run a full vascular disgnostic lab. Life is good in Pueblo, Colo., with three energetic kids and lots of outdoor activities."

After many years on the road, Orlene (Carlos) Gentile '94 and Carlo Gentile '94 have stopped touring -- at least temporarily. Since March, the two have been sharing duties of Artistic Director at CircEsteem, a Chicago youth and social circus dedicated to uniting youth from diverse backgrounds and building self esteem through circus arts. This summer they welcomed their second daughter and third child, Gioia Mi. The family lives in Lincoln Square.

Tom Gemetti ’94 was appointed to a two-year term on the Campbell Union School District governing board. Gemetti, who has a background in finance and accounting, also works full time as an assistant controller at Brocade, a networking equipment manufacturer in San Jose

Michael Arthur Gallagher '87 graduated in May 2011 with and Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from San Francisco State University after successfully defending his dissertation: Compassion, Accountability, and Collaboration: Effective Teachers in High Poverty Schools. Michael is an Assistant Superintendent in the Sunnyvale School District.

Jeff Fossatti '94 and his wife, Jennifer, welcomed their third child, Amelia Taylor Fossatti on October 27, 2009. She joins sister Madeline and brother Payton in the family's Portland home.

Jim Fleming, S.J., M.Div. ’94, executive VP of Wheeling Jesuit University, has been appointed the institution’s tenth president by the board of trustees, effective July 1, 2013. He will succeed Mr. Richard Beyer, who has decided not to seek a second term. 

John F. Eyrich '94 has formed a new partnership, SCHINDLER EYRICH LLP, and continues to focus on Trust, Estate and Fiduciary Matters, and related civil claims and appeals. The firm has offices in Los Angeles and Washington.

Bryan Emmert '93 and wife Tamara (Clark) Emmert  '94 welcomed a son, Zachary Kaniau, on Aug. 15, 2011. Zachary joins big sister, Daphne Leinaala, 3, in Sunnyvale.

Michelle (Babbage) Dupuis '94 and husband David welcomed triplets Lexie, Madeleine and Noelle on Dec. 18, 2010. They join big sister, Kaitlyn. The family lives in Saratoga.

Naomi Dalzell Martinez ’94, J.D. ’98 is the managing director of Grupo Tasomi, S.L. She lives in Hong Kong.

George Crothall '94 and Amber (Smith) Crothall '94, J.D. '03, recently moved to San Diego County. They have two daughters, ages 5 and 3. Amber works part-time as a real estate attorney and George is working for a new start-up company.

Susan Coleman J.D. '94 is an attorney with Manning & Marder, Kass, Ellrod, Ramirez LLP, where she manages the firm's Correctional Litigation Practice Group. Susan currently resides in Hermosa Beach and was recently admitted to the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) Los Angeles Chapter. In her spare time, Susan enjoys running marathons. In October 2009, Susan finished the Marine Corps Marathon in 3:23 and in April 2010, she completed the London Marathon in 3:34.

April (Phillips) Cobb '94 earned a Six Sigma Green Belt in October 2008 at Merck & Company.

Lori Ciano MBA '94 joined Conceptus Inc. as executive vice president of human resources. Prior, Ciano was senior vice president of human resources for Affymetrix Inc., where she directed the strategic planning and administration of the company's 1,100-member workforce worldwide for more than four years.

Dr. Julie A. Chang '94 and husband, Christopher McEvoy, welcomed a baby boy, Matthew on June 15, 2010. He joins big sister, Leah, 6. The family lives in Honolulu, Hawaii were Julie is a physician in Pulmonary Diseases and Critical Care Medicine and Chris is a Pediatrician.

Malcolm J. Carruthers '94 was appointed manager of customer support for Comtech Xicom Technology Inc. in Santa Clara. Earlier this year he presented a paper at the IVEC/IVESC Conference titled "The More Things Change, the More They Stay The Same," a retrospective and prospective look at the vacuum tube industry. Comtech Xicom Technology is a world leader in satellite communications (satcom) amplifiers, some of which will be used to transmit the 2012 London Olympics to countries around the world.

Krista Carlson '94 and husband John welcomed daughter Maria Margaret on April 10, 2009.

Celia Boyle MBA '94 and her husband Jay Hopkins announce the birth of Vincent Edwin July 9, 2011 and adopted October 18, 2011.

Scott Vincent Borba '94 co-founded Eyes Lips Face (e.l.f.) Cosmetics in late 2002, branched out to form Borba Nutraceuticals and Cosmaceuticals in 2004, and released his second book, Skintervention, earlier this year. If that isn't enough, he's also a fashion accessory designer, former model, actor and singer. "My dad told me to set out and take a piece of the world with you and that's what I'm trying to do," said Borba. From his own research and in talking with some of the top dermatologists and endocrinologists in the country, Borba knew 90 percent of skin problems started internally. "When I started e.l.f., I flew to Japan and the Asian and Japanese culture turned me on to the idea of internal beauty," said Borba. Upon returning, Borba went on a mission to develop something that would cure skin conditions from the inside out. He knew which ingredients worked best for each skin ailment and reverse engineered the rest. What he came up with was a line of vitamins, waters, serums and creams to help people solve their skin dilemmas. He tirelessly pitched his product and educated the nation on the necessity for his line. After seven years he believes it is finally taking hold. "I'm not about the falsification and overall blatant usage of camouflage...I want to help people solve their challenges so they can be comfortable in their own skin." Borba is a licensed aesthetician and practices at a small office inside the company's Los Angeles headquarters. His client list is full of celebrities, but when launching a new treatment like his $7,000 HD Diamond and Ruby Peel he looks to his fans for feedback. "It's so great," said Borba. "It's like a big family and I think they really appreciate it." The Borba companies are extremely charitable to Covenant House California, a non-profit whose mission is to reach at-risk homeless youth and offer them opportunities to turn their lives around. Borba is the organization's global ambassador. "I feel like I've been put on this earth to help bring people back to Catholic/Christian religions and help kids who have been kicked out of their house," said Borba. Even though Borba has a hectic schedule managing his businesses, writing, launching his singing and acting career and working for CHC, he has energy to spare and a positive attitude. He feels there's nothing that can't be done as long as you put in the effort. "You just have to really, really want something," said Borba. "Map it out A to Z and you must be OK with hearing 'no' and be willing to do the work. You must do the job of an army....everything is possible—it just depends on how much work you want to put into it." Currently he's working on, as he calls it, "revolutionizing" the Borba anti-aging lines and his third book, which "takes one of the best chapters in the second book and expands on it...People expect me to come in and shake things up and I'm not afraid of that," said Borba.